Meet our 2019-2020 CJN scholarship recipients - GUNAA - Collie J. Nicholson (North Dallas) Chapter

Kyla Nelson (Fall 2019 graduate)

I am Kyla Nelson, a native of Mesquite, TX and a graduate from Poteet High School. While attending Grambling State University, I was active in the Student Government Association (SGA) for four years. I served as a Class Senator for two years; Senate Pro-temp; Junior Class Vice President for a one year; 2018-2019 Vice President for the Grambling State University’s Student Government Association.

In addition to serving as President of the President’s Student Leadership Initiative Program for two years, I was also a member of the GSU Texas Club, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity. I was a mentor for the Tiger Prowl Mentor Group and Volunteered with United Ways Read Learn. Succeed Program. I had the pleasure of working in the University’s Communication office for two years, planning multitudes of events on behalf of the university.

In fall 2019, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and attended graduate school during the Spring semester. Since, I have relocated to Mesquite, TX, where I will be teaching Biology and coaching basketball while pursuing my 2nd bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Texas in Arlington.

Sarah-Renee H. Garner (Spring 2020 graduate)

I am Sarah-Renee H. Garner, a fourth-generation Gramblinite. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.84 GPA and was on the President’s List for four years.

A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., I was the chairman of the Programming, Planning, and Development committee. I was also a member of the Earl Lester Cole Honors College and Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society. I’ve been a four-year recipient of the Grambling State University Scholarship, a recipient of the 2019 CJN Chapter Scholarship and 2018 Dallas Chapter Alumni Scholarship.

My campus activities included participating on the “SarahSays” radio show, writing for The Gramblinite campus newspaper, and working as a reporter/photographer of the GSU Media Bureau. My internship experience includes working with the Feminist Majority Foundation, ExxonMobil, and TEDxSMU.

After graduation, I secured employment with the Match Corp Fellowship as an Educator in Boston, Massachusetts, embarking on a year-long fellowship dedicated to closing the educational achievement gap.